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African Leaders Prepare Common Position Ahead of Cancun

24 July 2010: The Conference of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) convened in Kampala, Uganda, from 24-25 July 2010, on the margins of the 15th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Summit.

Jean Ping, President of the AU Commission, addressed participants by highlighting Africa's concerns and demands for a fair and equitable outcome of the international climate change negotiations. He noted the continued need to urge developed countries to meet their historical responsibilities and make progress on delivering on the Copenhagen pledges on finance for developing countries. He reported that the Commission convened a meeting of the CAHOSCC Ministers in Bamako, Mali, on 23 June 2010, and presented a proposal on “Streamlining African Climate Change Negotiating Structure at the Ministers and Experts Levels,” which was adopted by the meeting of Ministers.

Mexican President Felipe Calderón also participated in the meeting, warning that a lack of agreement in the international negotiations will affect the poorest nations and countries. He noted that the African Continent's priorities include energy, water resources, and land management in forestry and urban infrastructure, and that the cost of adaptation for African nations and governments could be equivalent to 5-10% of Africa's GDP.